How to Delay Your Period During Hajj or Umrah
How to Stop Periods During Hajj/Umrah
There is no safe and reliable way to completely stop your period once it has already started.
Some methods you might find online, like taking high doses of ibuprofen or using vinegar douches, are not recommended. They can be ineffective and even dangerous.
Here are some things you can consider to manage your period:
❇️ Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with cramps and discomfort.
❇️ Heating pads or hot water bottles: Applying heat to your lower abdomen can help relax muscles and ease cramps.
❇️ Rest and relaxation: Getting enough sleep and taking breaks can help you cope with period symptoms.
❇️ Menstrual products: Using pads, tampons, or a menstrual cup can help manage bleeding.
If you have concerns about your period, such as unusually heavy bleeding or irregular cycles, it's always best to consult a doctor or healthcare professional. They can advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation.
Delaying Periods During Hajj/Umrah
There are options to consider for delaying your period during Hajj or Umrah. Period delaying methods aren't foolproof as breakthrough bleeding can still occur sometimes, but they are effective.
These methods can help delay menstruation, however they involve medications and have potential side effects. It's important to approach these methods with caution and with the guidance of a healthcare professional as a doctor can assess your health and recommend the safest and most effective option for you.
Here are some options a doctor might discuss:
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs): These can be particularly helpful if you're a regular user. Your doctor might recommend skipping the placebo week and starting a new pack right away to extend your cycle.
Progesterone-only pills: These can be an option for women who cannot take oestrogen, but they might not be as effective in delaying periods. Period delay tablets are available online at Ashcroft Pharmacy.
Period Delay Tablets
You can take charge of your cycle with safe, clinically proven alternatives like Norethisterone (period delay tablets). Period delay medications contain norethisterone, a synthetic form of progesterone.
These work by artificially keeping the body's progesterone levels higher for an extended length of time, delaying the onset of menstruation. The thicker uterine lining can only last for a limited time, though.
You can therefore only delay your period by about two weeks with these medications.
Here are some of the features of the period delay tablets:
- The main ingredient is norethisterone
- The alternative is Provera (Medroxyprogesterone)
- Can delay periods up to17 days
- Take 1 pill 3 times a day
- The period should start 2 to 3 days after finishing the course
- Norethisterone 5mg tablets available online at Ashcroft Pharmacy
Taking Norethisterone to stop period
Three days before the anticipated onset of your next menstrual cycle, begin taking one Norethisterone pill three times a day. Continue taking the pills until you're ready to start your period again, up to a maximum of 17 days.
If you forget to take a tablet, you can resume taking the prescribed dosage the next day or when your next dose is due. You must avoid taking two doses at once. You can read the patient information pamphlet within your treatment package for further details.
Side Effects of Period Delay Tablets
Although norethisterone typically has minimal side effects, it might cause,
- breast soreness,
- bloating,
- nausea,
- headaches, and
- changes in your menstrual cycle, such as spotting between periods.
Also, you may notice changes in your appetite and mood. Severe side effects may include
- migraines,
- jaundice,
- thrombosis, and
- high blood pressure
Restrictions About Hajj/Umrah During Periods
Women who are menstruating during Hajj or Umrah are not able to perform certain rituals due to being in a state of ritual impurity. Here's a breakdown:
Tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba): This is a central rite of both Hajj and Umrah, and women on their periods cannot perform it. They must wait until their period is over and they have performed ritual purification (ghusl) before circumambulating the Kaaba.
Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwa hills): Women on their periods can still perform this rite.
There are other restrictions for women on their periods during Hajj, such as not being able to pray or enter the inner sanctum of the Kaaba.
However, they can still participate in other aspects of the pilgrimage, such as making dua (supplications) and listening to religious teachings.
Last Line
Important things to remember
Start Planning Early: Discuss this with your doctor well in advance of your pilgrimage, ideally 2-3 months before, to allow time for any necessary adjustments to your menstrual cycle.
Consider Alternatives:
If hormonal methods aren't suitable, discuss alternative solutions with your doctor. These might involve planning your pilgrimage around your cycle or focusing on the spiritual aspects you can still participate in during menstruation.
